The Office of Career and Professional Development

2023-2024 Dean Acheson Legal Stage Program

The United States Embassy in Luxembourg is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for the Dean Acheson Legal Stage (traineeship/internship) Program in Luxembourg at the Court of Justice of the European Communities for 2021-2022. These stage opportunities for periods of not more than three months are offered to a limited number of students or recent graduates from select U.S. law schools. Applications must be submitted to Washington College of Law, Melanija Radnovic, at mradnovic@wcl.american.edu by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 31, 2023. Click here for the application form. 

Available Stage Periods at the European Court

There are two possible Dean Acheson Legal Stage periods 2023-2024

Categories of Dean Acheson Legal Stage

Three types of stage are available:
  • With a Judge of the Court of Justice

The Dean Acheson stagiaire works in the Chambers of a Judge of the Court of Justice in association with his or her referendaires (law clerks). The stagiaire is expected to assist the Judge and his or her referendaires as required. This experience offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain insight into a judicial process characteristic of the European Court, but very different from the American approach, involving a high degree of intellectual teamwork. Strong French language skills are essential.

  • With an Advocate General of the Court of Justice

The Dean Acheson stagiaire works in the Chambers of an Advocate General of the Court of Justice in association with his or her referendaires. The stagiaire takes part in the research and writing of the Advocate General’s opinions, an experience most akin to a traditional U.S. judicial clerking experience. Advocates General prepare their opinions in their native language. The stagiaire therefore needs to have the language skills appropriate to the Advocate General who selects him or her. A reading knowledge of French is required.

  • With a Judge of the General Court

The Dean Acheson stagiaire works in the Chambers of a Judge of the General Court, assisting him or her in connection with cases before the General Court. Candidates for this stage should have a strong background in antitrust/competition law. A reading knowledge of French is required.

Eligibility Requirements

The purpose of the Dean Acheson Legal Stage Program is to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and the European Union in the context of the legal profession. It is therefore open to American citizens and legal permanent residents only. Priority will be given to applicants who have completed three years of law school and who have a strong knowledge of Community Law. As noted above, some knowledge of French is required, varying with the type of stage. Knowledge of an E.U. language other than French and English is an advantage, and generally necessary for a stage with an Advocate General.

Application Procedure

Applications must include a completed application form and graduate and undergraduate transcripts. All applications must first be submitted to each law school's administrator for review. After initial screening, each law school administrator should forward via email a maximum of three (3) endorsed applications to the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg.

WCL applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 31, 2023.to Melanija Radnovic, at mradnovic@wcl.american.edu. After review, the Embassy will forward approved application materials to the Court of Justice for review and circulation among the Judges and Advocates General, according to the applicant's stated preferences. Individual Judges and Advocates General will select Dean Acheson stagiaires from the lists submitted, and the European Court of Justice will notify the Embassy and the applicants of their selection.

Financial Assistance

No U.S. Government funds are available to assist applicants chosen for Dean Acheson Legal stages. Dean Acheson stages are unpaid, and the European Court of Justice does not make any funds available to support Dean Acheson stagiaires.

No academic credit is given for the stage this is an unpaid clerkship.

Participating Schools

  • American University
  • Boston University
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Duke University
  • Fordham University
  • Georgetown University
  • George Washington University
  • Harvard University
  • New York University
  • Northwestern University
  • Seton Hall University
  • Stanford University
  • Southern Methodist University
  • University of Alabama
  • University of California – Berkeley
  • University of California – Los Angeles
  • University of Chicago
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Minnesota

  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Texas at Austin
  • University of Virginia
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Washington University in St. Louis
  • Yale University

Inquiries

Questions concerning this program should be addressed to:

Melanija Radnovic

Director, WCL Abroad and International Programs
Adjunct Professor
mradnovic@wcl.american.edu
Y360E
Phone: (202) 274-4177

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